October 15, 2012 12:44 pm

Quiet day at Montlake during the first meeting of the week with Steve Sarkisian. Here are some of the highlights from Monday’s discussion with the coach:

> Sarkisian reiterated on several occasions that he’s not worried about Keith Price. He says Price’s ball security needs to improve, but also said we saw “a lot of old Keith Price” last Saturday against USC. Sarkisian says the “sky is not falling on No. 17.”

> Sarkisian again lamented slow starts the past two weeks. Washington fell behind 21-0 against Oregon and 10-0 against USC. He said the team might be too emotional at the start of games, not allowing it to simply focus on the play in front of them, wiping that away, then focusing on the next play.

> Josh Shirley’s role is being adjusted. He’s been on the field less and less that past two weeks, and has turned into a spot pass rusher. Despite the reduction, Shirley has come up with crucial sacks each of the last two weeks. With Arizona likely to throw the ball over the place Saturday, we could be seeing more Shirley.

> Sarkisian said Arizona’s tempo is the most similar thing about its offense to Oregon’s offense. Though, he said the Wildcats are not as “multiple” as Oregon. That’s coach speak for they don’t have as many good offensive players.

> Sarkisian also said he is trying to assess the offensive linemen with the long view and understanding how difficult the recent fronts have been.

> Arizona runs a stack 3-3-5 defense. It’s the first time this season Washington will see that. Sarkisian said the important thing is to identify who to block in that lightweight scheme.

About

A proud native of Longview, Wash., Christian Caple joins The News Tribune after covering Washington State football and men's basketball for two years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane (though he lived in Pullman). He is a 2010 graduate of the University of Washington, an avid NWAACC basketball fan, and is unsure how to proceed now that Breaking Bad is over.

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